This story is a poignant and tragic love affair, from London 1818. This was a fated secret affair between 23 year old English poet, John Keats (Whishaw), and the girl next door, Fanny Brawne (Cornish), an out-spoken student of high fashion. This unlikely pair begin at odds, he thinking her a stylish minx, while she was unimpressed by poetry and literature in general.

Fanny begins to help Keats, as he nurses his younger brother during an illness, and thus they begin to grow closer, with her interest in poetry more piqued.His poetry soon became a romantic remedy that worked not only to sort their differences, but also to fuel an impassioned love affair.When Fanny's alarmed mother and Keats' best friend finally discover their attachment, the relationship had unstoppable momentum. Intensely and helplessly absorbed in each other, the young lovers were swept deeply into powerful new sensations, "I have the feeling as if we're dissolving," Keats wrote to her. Together they rode a wave of romantic obsession that only deepened as their troubles mounted.In Keats' own poignant words, they were left "forever panting and forever young."

This is a beautiful and well directed movie with great passion from the main stars. It's compelling and draws you into their romantic world, similar to Romeo & Juliet. As a writer, its wonderful to know his muse was so wonderfully portrayed by Cornish. I also agree there will be Oscar nods here. 5 stars 10.02.09